Red Wings GM Ken Holland wants to keep Detroit's record in terms of avoiding arbitration hearings with its players on a 14-year roll (the Wings haven't had to head to Toronto since Ray Sheppard's 1995 hearing), but the Free Press's George Sipple reports that Holland's keeping his expectations low regarding the probability of Jiri Hudler actually playing for the Wings during the 2009-2010 season:

July 22, Detroit Free Press: Wings general manager Ken Holland said he spoke to the agent for restricted free agent Jiri Hudler last week and was hoping to talk to him again in the next couple of days. Hudler elected for arbitration, and the sides have a hearing scheduled for July 30 in Toronto.

The Wings will ask for a two-year award. Hudler signed a two-year deal with Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League for what amounts to $10 million tax-free.

The Wings would like to work out a deal with Hudler before going to arbitration, but they won't offer him anything close to his Dynamo deal. Because he signed with the Dynamo after filing for NHL arbitration, the Wings believe Hudler intends to play in Russia next season.

He does, and the NHL's battle with the KHL over Hudler's rights won't end if/when the Red Wings re-sign him.